AL Central Links: Indians, Avila, Berrios

The Indians have a lot of offseason work ahead of them, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes, particularly when it comes to upgrading the team’s lineup. The Tribe could use help at several spots around the diamond, and Hoynes intriguingly wonders how much the club could be counting on from Carlos Santana in 2016. Santana entered today hitting .222/.355/.381 with 12 homers and a league-leading 74 walks over 439 plate appearances — still above-average offensive numbers (109 wRC+), though the power dropoff has to be a concern for Cleveland. The Tribe wasn’t interested in dealing him before the deadline and since Santana is owed only $8.25MM in 2016 (plus a $12MM club option for 2017 with a $1.2MM buyout), I’d think he’s enough of a cost-effective asset that it makes more sense for the offense-starved Indians to keep him. Here’s some more from around the AL Central…

Also from Hoynes’ piece, he doubts the Indians will make any big moves in free agency given how little return they got from Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn, the Tribe’s last two major steps into the open market.

Alex Avila’s pending free agency creates even more of an awkward position for both he and the Tigers now that his father Al is the team’s general manager, Fangraphs’ David Laurila writes. “No one doubts the professionalism of either Avila,” Laurila notes, though the catcher’s concussion history, lack of hitting and James McCann’s emergence hurts his case to return to Detroit. Though retirement isn’t necessarily in the cards for the younger Avila anytime soon, Laurila notes that Alex has been tabbed by many as a potential future manager or front office member once he calls it a career.

Jose Berrios is performing well in Triple-A and, with the Twins’ rotation struggling, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press suggests that Minnesota could turn to its top pitching prospect. Twins assistant GM Rob Antony didn’t give any hints about a promotion, though he did praise Berrios and noted that the organization had no plans to shut the righty down as he approaches his career high in innings. The Twins picked Berrios 32nd overall in the 2012 draft, and he ranked highly in preseason prospect lists from MLB.com (32nd) and Baseball America (36th), as well as a bump up to 19th on BA’s midseason top 50 prospects list.

Comments

Interesting situation Avila falls into. I see him as a very promising comeback candidate in 2016 with a change of scenery. I think he will have a number of suitors. If I were to throw out a guess, this would be some interesting landing spots for him.

For full time duty (catching 100 plus games)

1. Angels – The catching void has been prominent, he could find new life in LA.

2. Rangers – Another team with a void at Catcher, finding himself in Arlington could help his offensive production in such a hitter friendly park.

3. Reds – With Devin Mesoraco’s catching career in doubt, he could find plenty of time behind the plate in Cincy

Rays have Rene Rivera, who despite his struggles, has good potential. I think they’d rather go with him then Avila. Rivera had a 3+ WAR season in 2014.

Sox aren’t a fit. They could have Vazquez back some time next year, plus they have Ryan Hanigan signed for next year.
I think that Avila can do better than back up to Mesoraco. He’ll get a starting job. Even if Mesoraco can’t catch every day, they aren’t going to give up on him yet

Rangers have Chirinos (1.6 WAR over 70 games this year, 2.4 WAR over 93 games last year)

Red Sox have Swihart, Hanigan and Vazquez all signed through next season. They don’t need Avila. I think he settles for a backup role or a minor league deal. His concussion issues are troublesome and he has been a zero with the bat for the last three seasons.

Avila is five years removed from his very good season. The last four have been mediocre to poor (with the bat) at best. I can’t see teams rushing after him with big money contracts for a 29 year old catcher with close to 700 games coming off a sub 200 season.

Avila had one good season at the plate, his first. Ever since then its been an accelerated decline into oblivion (sub .200), Defensively he is grossly overrated by those from the outside looking in. He USED to throw runners out but no longer. He USED to call a great game, but no longer. The Tigers wasted $5-mil plus on him season because they weren’t sure McCann was ready for full time duty. Now that they are, Avila is gone. Avila is a semi-walking Mash unit. Daily injuries and far too many concussions, but if you want him, have at him. Just lower your expectations.